The Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) and enforcement agencies launched Ops Bersepadu Khazanah in 2019.
Director-General Datuk Abdul Kadir Abu Hashim said the initiative has achieved major results in combating wildlife crime.
By July, authorities seized wildlife assets worth over RM39.3 million and detained 1,089 people in 778 cases.
The operation involves Perhilitan, police, Customs, Forestry, Immigration, state agencies, and wildlife NGOs.
High-Risk Species and Illegal Pet Trade
Abdul Kadir said poachers target Malayan tigers, leopards, sun bears, and elephants for tusks and high black-market value.
Poachers also capture monkeys, white-rumped shamas, siamangs, and slow lorises to sell as exotic pets.
He reminded citizens to acquire protected species only through licensed dealers and secure permits from Perhilitan.
The department issues a “licence to keep wildlife” at counters or via the myPERHILITAN online portal.
Violators face fines up to RM50,000 and three years in jail; possession of fully protected species can cost RM500,000.
Popular protected pets include white-rumped shamas, blue-crowned hanging parrots, sun conures, Indian star tortoises, African spurred tortoises, ball pythons, grey parrots, and iguanas.
Wildlife Cruelty and Habitat Loss
Abdul Kadir linked cruelty to smuggling, noting animals often travel in tight containers, suitcases, or PVC pipes.
He cited a 2019 Perak case where someone confined and shot a long-tailed macaque.
Between 2019 and July, courts charged perpetrators in 14 cruelty cases under Section 86 of the Wildlife Conservation Act.
Investigations continue into a June Shah Alam case where a man spray-painted a caged monkey; the AG’s Chambers is reviewing findings.
Abdul Kadir said deforestation for agriculture and infrastructure causes human-wildlife conflicts.
Elephants suffer most visibly, straying into villages and plantations as habitats shrink, often requiring relocation.
The Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Ministry reported 66,825 human-wildlife conflict cases involving monkeys, elephants, wild boars, tigers, and tapirs between 2020 and 2024.
